RCR International Pty Ltd is an Australian-owned company specialising in a range of safety products such as gloves and clothing.
Choosing the correct glove for the right application can be difficult with extensive options available in the market. It is important to first establish the level of protection required for the task at hand, and understand the manufacturing standards of the variety of gloves on offer.
Gloves are produced from many different materials, each with specific properties for specific applications. Examination gloves have traditionally been manufactured from natural rubber latex as it is highly elastic in addition to being soft and comfortable to wear. Rubber latex also provides excellent tensile strength and its elasticity brings resistance to abrasion, cuts and tears.
There are alternatives to latex designed for users with latex allergy or where greater protection against solvents is required.
Vinyl examination gloves are available in the ‘traditional’ hard formulation as well as in a high molecular weight formulation like the Pro-Val Stretch Vinyl PF, which is softer and less liable to splitting. These gloves are widely used in industry particularly where the user is likely to come in contact with oils and greases.
Nitrile examination gloves provide resistance to a broad range of chemicals including petroleum-based solvents, oil, grease, acids and caustics. They have excellent resistance to abrasions, cuts and punctures. The nitrile softens rapidly on the skin to provide the most comfortable experience even when the gloves have been used for prolonged periods of time.
The close fitting nitrile glove is able to dissipate heat from the hand faster, reducing sweating and skin irritation. Nitrile gloves meet the needs of medical, laboratory and industrial users.
Neoprene (Polychloroprene) examination gloves offer true comfort, quality and protection. Neoprene is a synthetic alternative to natural rubber latex, providing better elongation and tensile strength than nitrile.
Chemoprene gloves offer superior permeation resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs and excellent chemical resistance including higher resistance to alcohols. These gloves are suitable for use in chemotherapy treatment, hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics as well as laboratories and pharmaceutical industries.
Key features of various types of examination gloves:
Latex Gloves
- High elasticity
- Elasticity brings resistance to abrasion, cuts and tears
- Soft and comfortable to wear
Vinyl Gloves
- Ideal for users with latex allergy
- Excellent resistance to fats, petroleum-based hydrocarbons, most oils, acids, fats, alkalis and caustics
Nitrile Gloves
- Excellent resistance to abrasion, cuts and punctures
- Resistance to a broad range of chemicals including petroleum-based solvents, oils, grease and caustics
- Comfortable to wear after prolonged use
Neoprene Gloves
- Superior tensile strength and elasticity
- Excellent permeation resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs
- Higher elongation than nitrile gloves
- Resistance to a broad range of oils, acids, caustics, bleaches, detergents and alkalis